Kamiah Man Sentenced in Drunk-Driving Manslaughter Case

COEUR D’ALENE—Nicholas P. Allman, 23, of Kamiah, Idaho, was sentenced today in United States District Court to 21 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Senior U.S. District Judge Robert H. Whaley also ordered Allman to serve three years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to the charge on June 11, 2013.

According to statements made in court, on October 28, 2011, Allman and two friends attended an outdoor party outside of Kooskia, Idaho. Witnesses at the party recalled that Allman was drinking alcohol and appeared to be intoxicated. In the early morning hours of October 29, 2011, the men left the party with Allman driving the vehicle. Approximately one hour later, Allman failed to negotiate a turn on Harris Ridge Road. His vehicle left the roadway and rolled down a steep embankment onto U.S. Highway 12 below. The three men were ejected from the vehicle. James Oatman, Jr. died during the rollover and was pronounced dead at the scene. Allman’s blood was drawn by police later that morning, and it was determined that he was intoxicated, having a blood alcohol level above .08.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Idaho State Police, and Nez Perce Tribal Police, with assistance from the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office.